ST. LOUIS EGOTIST: Matt Brennock: What I Learned in 2013

EGOTIST: We wanted to start the new year by taking a looking back at the previous 365 and have creative professionals dissect the trials, tribulations, victories and successes from 2013. Everyone in this year's series was heavily recommended by a visionary from the previous year. We asked them to create a piece, entitled "What I Learned in 2013" and allowed it to take whatever form they liked — an illustration, a top-ten list, an article, video, photo or anything else they felt like sharing.

There is absolutely nothing prepares you for the loss of a loved one – nothing.

The greatest act of courage is a simple act of kindness.

‘Creative’ is a ridiculous title to bestow upon anyone, everyone is creative.

Portfolio schools have done a marvelous job of teaching people how to put together a good ‘book’ and a lousy job of teaching people how to ‘sell’.

We sell shit in this business, so your ideas are worthless if you can’t sell them.

Women are superior to men in every conceivable way.

Most men are cowards and frankly, pretty goddamn boring as well.

There are no ‘experts’ and there is no, ‘one way’ to succeed.

It’s not about you, in fact, it’s never about you.

This is a ridiculous business, but at least it’s always interesting.

Perspective comes at a high price and is worth every penny.

Too few can actually lay claim to being ‘self aware’ and that’s a shame.

Great ideas inspire everyone who comes in contact with them.

If social media is all about connection, why are we lonelier than we’ve ever been?

Never have so many, said so little, about so much.

The ‘assholes’, have got to go.

Roy Hobbs was right, “You have two lives, one you learn with and one you live with after that.”

If you have your health, you have everything.

This is a pretty simple business, which we manage to overcomplicate on a daily basis.

It’s true, what others say about you is none of your damn business.

Did I mention, that women rule the world and make life fascinating?

Every Saint has a past and every Sinner a future.

Great clients get great work, funny how that goes.

Good wine, good whiskey, good conversation, good as it gets.

Find the humor in it, or risk becoming a miserable fuck.

People that text in the middle of a meal are the worst.

Scratch that, self-absorbed, selfish people that text during a meal are the worst.

People don’t give a shit about brands, it’s our job to make them care.

You have to take the good with the bad.

‘Sexy’ is always good thing.

To love and be loved -- that’s it.

Matt Brennock is SVP, Managing Partner and Regional ECD for Momentum Chicago and St. Louis.